Vibe is a monthly music magazine founded in 1993 by Quincy Jones that focuses on R&B and hip-hop artists. It features interviews, photos, and information about new music and releases. While it shut down briefly in 2009, it was purchased by InterMedia Partners and continues publication today both in print and online. The magazine targets young, urban audiences interested in hip-hop culture through its coverage of prominent artists like Nicki Minaj and Drake. It also discusses films, fashion, and other entertainment relevant to its readership.

3. • Vibe is a music and entertainment magazine which was founded by a
producer named Quincy Jones in 1933. The publication predominantly
features R&B and hip-hop music artists, actors and other entertainers.
After shutting down in the Summer of 2009, Vibe was purchased by the
private funders; InterMedia Partners and is now issued every-other month
with double covers, with a larger online presence. The magazine's target
demographic is largely aimed at young, urban followers of hip-hop culture.
• The magazine wanted to widen its success to featuring a broader range of
interests than its closest competitors The Source and XXL which focus
more towards rap music, or the rock & pop-centric Rolling Stone and Spin.
• Vibe was very well known for their creativity within their front covers.
• Due to their success as a magazine in becoming such a well known brand,
they then went on to publish books on the history of RnB and hip-hop
culture.
• The name of the magazine; Vibe clearly connoted RnB/Hip-hop music as
the word vibe relates to music as it is a sound from music, and many of
the readers of the magazine will understand this.

4. • In 2009, the magazine had huge success however it stopped selling paper
back issues of the magazine, yet there were no reasons for this, they
appear to be unknown. This however did not stop the success of the
magazine in any way, as Vibe has a website full of urban news and artist
updates which readers could go online to keep up to date with it all.
• The producer of Vibe, Quincy Jones stated that he would like to keep Vibe
alive online. The magazines have started selling paper back copies again
though as Vibe was bought by InterMedia Partners, LP bought the
magazine.

5. This was one of the first issues
of Vibe magazine to be
published.
The master head of
this front cover of
Most of the colours on
vibe still remains the
the front of this cover
same within today’s
are also still similar to
issues of vibe,
most of today’s issues.
although the colours
The colours yellow,
might change the font
black, red and white all
is still the same.
represent a typical RnB
magazine.
The sell lines also
The main image still remain the
also represents a same in the way
typical RnB singer there placed and
who is well known, what they
presenting typical feature such as
RnB iconography. the list of music
artists which
feature inside.

6. • Vibe today is currently one of the biggest RnB music magazines being
published. Due to the magazine not being around for that long, all the
features and forms of layout still remain the same. This magazine is
issued monthly with approximately 75 pages full of entertainment and
gossip from the RnB music industry. Vibe offers a subscription package
which monthly costs $9.99 (£6.29)
• This magazine does not have a standard magazine layout as their ratio for
images to articles is 60:40. They also do follow the traditional convention
of having many sell lines on the front cover of the magazine, this is
because the readers attention is aimed at the main artist on the font.
• Vibe also are very generous as they give and take donations from
customers to the American Red Cross, showing there generosity to help
others in need.
• To add to this Vibe are also selling their music magazine and giving 100%
of their income the American Red Cross to help Hurricane Sandy Victims.

7. Both share similar
colourings, through the From looking at these two pieces from a Vibe
uses of greys, blacks, white. magazine, They both feature large images of the
These are colours in which main artist with the text around it, this is a
Vibe use often portraying common feature for Vibe as they repeat this in
that these are colours each their issues, creating a brand identity.
which reflect an RnB genre.

8. • The magazine is aimed at 16-25 year olds, at both
male and female.
• Vibe aspire to individuals with key interests in
music, fashion, films and television.
• The magazine appeals to many loyal fans who
have a passion for music as this is what the
magazine features around.
• Fashion is also a key interest to the target
audience, their image is very important to them
and look to artists in the RnB industry for ideas.

9. • Vibe is dedicated to urban RnB music, and include content
based around music whether it be interviews with artists
from the genre, tour dates of artists, or just new
information on artists music.
• Vibe also include information about American films, and
provide interviews with actors/actresses from certain films.
• Regular featured artists within the magazine are Nicki
Minaj, Chris Brown, Lil Wayne, and drake.
• Within the magazine, the artists/celebrities that feature will
reflect upon who the readership will be as for example
readers to listen to Katherine Jenkins aren’t going to listen
to an RnB music magazine as she or any other classical
artists will not appear in the magazine.

10. • Within Vibe, It offers a variety of Iconography from the RnB
genre featured in the magazine such as topless men, cars,
jewellery, desirous and sexy women and many more.
• The magazine always offers a share amount of information
and images keeping the reader satisfied with just the right
quantity of both.
• Black, White and Grey are the common colours used
throughout the magazine which creates a relaxed and calm
tone for the readership.
• The fonts used are mainly repeated throughout the entirety
of the magazine reinforcing the brand identity but also, the
fonts often tend to appear in lower case again creating a
relaxed, and inviting tone for the readers.

12. The colloquial language as it
states ‘White Kicks’ and Ways
To Dress Like A Man, Son!
Create a more casual tone
allowing the readers to feel
more relaxed but also so they
can create a relationship with
the magazine through the
use of the casual language
used throughout.
The use of direct address
allows the reader to feel
more involved within the
magazine, again creating
a casual and personal
tone.
The use of colours on this front
cover are very calm and relaxed,
exemplifying the mood of the
magazine but also the mood and
tone of RnB music as a genre.

13. • The magazine; Vibe was successfully launched by Quincy Jones, a
very successful musician. Quincy had previously partners with Time
Inc, and in addition to that shared successful ownership with well
known magazines such as NME, Fortune, InStyle and Marie Claire.
• In 1996 Miller Publishing bought the magazine, then not long after
this bough Spin; another magazine.
• Later on, Magic Johnson and Ron Burkle invested in the company
and merged with Blackbook media which then led to forming Vibe
Media in the year of 2012.
• Both the owners have experience within the athletic field but
neither have experience in music, however the pair have managed
to create one of the most successful and memorable RnB/Hip-Hop
music magazines.